Lets just say the Flames stay the course and not do anything crazy trade wise and Macdonald or Ortio actually grow into a true NHL number 1 goalie grown in the organization.

After this year I am to hope Monahan signs longish term 5+ maybe 7 even somewhere around $5.25-$4.75 the year after when Johnny is RFA that could be $6? Bennett if he continues to stay and play for the Flames $4?
To tack that on the books is around $11 million, with the cap going up about 3 every year to hold both these guys would leave the Flames basically not bringing anyone else in to support.

I am just wondering where other people think with the core the Flames have now if its a winner, stats don't lie there possession sucks I am a huge Flames fan and yes their flair for the dramatic is still not getting old but at some point you don't always get to come from behind when the other team just runs out of gas.

Am I alone in thinking this core when ages properly is something that could probably lose the cup a few times and win once? I do firmly believe with the numbers ever so slowly turning (they are still just kids) when the time comes Sean and Johnny could both be 80pt players at the same season to take the Flames far with a half-good goalie to backstop them, Ramo and Hiller are not the Flames future!

January 4, 2016 11:23 AM ET
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The core is strong up front. Top two lines look good. 3 and 4 will need some changes for the Flames to be considered true contenders. Gio has a few miles left and the emergence of TJ with the upside of Hamilton means our D will be strong for the foreseeable future. Goaltending remains to be seen. Still a few years from being compared to the likes of the powerhouse teams...